Swiss Hotel Management School
This content has been reviewed and approved by General Secretary, Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and Association of Managers in Education (AMiE) Mary Bousted
In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources: Wikipedia, The Standard, Telegraph.co.uk, Top Universities, NST
Description of Swiss Hotel Management School
Anyone who speaks English, German, French or Italian can become a graduate in the Swiss boarding schools of hotel and tourist management. It is a multilingual country where such schools are concentrated. They provide high world prestige and professional diplomas recognized all over the world. In Switzerland there is also a comfortable climate, high-quality service and many opportunities not only for elite education, but also for a quiet, safe life and active recreation.
Swiss Hotel Management School in the cities of Caux and Leisane
SHMS (Swiss Hotel Management School) is one of the largest and most famous schools of the hotel industry, Association SEG. The SHMS is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, founded in 1984 and has two campuses. One of them is a campus in the town of Koh, in the five-star Caux-Palace hotel. From here, it takes only 20 minutes drive to the city of Montreux and Lake Geneva, where many famous people, including Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Byron, Nabokov, Chaplin, stayed.
The second campus of the Swiss Hotel Management School is located in Leysin. It is a small town situated high above the sea level - at an altitude of 1200 m. Leyzan is only an hour and a half away from Geneva. For education and accommodation, students are provided with rooms in two hotels. This is a modern "Belvedere" with all the latest technical innovations and an old "Mont Blanc". The hotels are connected by a branch of SHMS skytrain.
Studying lasts three years, including 4 academic semesters, each of which lasts 5 months, or 18 weeks, and two semesters of practice with salary, which is compulsory. Each practical semester lasts 4 - 6 months.
Language of instruction is English.
Internship
Each academic year includes one semester of students' practical work in restaurants and hotels, it lasts 4 - 6 months and begins after the end of the academic semester. A place for practice is provided to every student for free. During the time of work, students are guaranteed to earn 1,168 - 1,450 francs a month after taxes, insurance, accommodation and meals.
Requirements for applicants for admission to the SHMS:
- The age of at least 18 years;
- Successful certificate of secondary education;
- The results of English tests: IELTS no less than 5.0; TOEFL - 500 and higher. You can also take the Oxford Online Placement Test. To enter the school you need to score at least 50 points.
Diplomas
After graduation, students receive two degrees:
- Swiss;
- English, because the SHMS school works in partnership with the British University of Derby;
- The third diploma of American Hotel & Lodging Association can be obtained at will, after passing several more exams. Additional exams are paid separately.
What difficulties can foreign students face while studying at an American university?
Differences in cultures, educational systems, academic standards - and even personal expectations - can be shocking and hindered at getting started. Of course, there is also a difference between high school and university, and then there is an adaptation to a new country and a new language, which is also unusual. Many students also suffer from such seemingly trifles as different weather, food, time zones, etc.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Swiss Hotel Management School
The contents of the BA Degree Program
The students can choose three courses of study based on the knowledge and practice of the first years of study:
- BA in Hospitality Management;
- BA in Hospitality & amp; Events Management;
- BA Events Management.
The BA Degree Program was developed jointly with the British University of Derby - the owner of the 4th place in the ranking of educational institutions of hotel and tourism management in the UK.
The program of the first semester
1. Catering: restaurant service and kitchen work; creation and design of the menu; follow the rules of hygiene, the rules of cooking and drinking, the rules of design and serving.
2. Practical skills of working in restaurants of public catering.
3. Costs: identification and control.
4. Introduction to hospitality and tourism.
5. Principles of accounting in public catering and tourism business.
6. Information technology: use of e-mail and Internet in hotel and tourism management. Studying in planning, design and presentation.
7. Perfection of personal development and communications. Qualities and skills of managers, personnel management, personnel development, career planning and implementation are studied.
8. Business industry.
9. French, German or Spanish language of choice.
Practice
Paid work is offered to sudents in Swiss or foreign hotels and restaurants as maid, Barmen, waiters, kitchen staff, at the reception.
Program of the 2nd semester
1. Business management: the impact of business practices on the consumer, the product of the business as such, the success factors.
2. Management of hotels: planning, analysis, control.
3. Personnel management.
4. Study of hotel rooms: categories of rooms, work of reception and number service, booking and related operations.
5. Number fund Hotel: practical skills in the work of reception and room service.
6. Marketing: market segmentation, differentiation, positioning and sales.
7. Financial management: calculation, reporting.
8. Business communications.
9. Event management.
10. Introduction to tourism and geography: directions and types of tourism and tourists, their motivation, analysis of economic, social, cultural prerequisites for different types of travel.
11. The service of banquets.
12. Principles of management of hotel and tourist facilities.
13. Lessons in French, German or Spanish.
Practice
Paid work is offered to students in Swiss or foreign hotels and restaurants as maid, barmen, waiters, kitchen staff, at the reception.
Contents of 3 semesters
1. Income Management: strategies.
2. Human Resources Management.
3. Marketing and management in the service industry.
4. Independent research project.
5. Managerial Accounting.
6. Industry Economics Hospitality and service.
7. Classes in French, German or Spanish.
After 9 weeks of studying, students are divided by the following specialties:
- Managing the business of the hotel.
- Manager of entertainment management: creating, implementing and maintaining projects and ideas.
Contents of 4 semesters
1. Modern trends in the tourism and hotel business.
2. Strategic management.
Then students are divided into specializations.
- BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management:
- Risk management; catering; study of consumer needs; business strategy; cultural diversity.
- BA (Hons) in Hospitality & amp; Event Management: PR, marketing; consumer needs; organization of events, project management.
- BA (Hons) in Events Management.
After completing the BA Degree Program and all practical semesters, students can choose to pursue their Master's studies (MA in International Hospitality Management) during an additional year.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Student accommodation:
- Standard rooms for 1 or 2 people with shared facilities;
- Deluxe rooms with private facilities, TV, telephone and a beautiful view of the lake or mountains;
- Superior Deluxe rooms - Deluxe multimedia equipment is added to DVD and Wi-Fi. Cleaning, change of bed and towels is done once a week.
Nutrition of students:
- Weekdays: 3 times a day;
- Weekends: 2 times a day.
The Caux-Palace campus offers students a choice of three restaurants:
- Four Seasons;
- Le Caux-Palace;
- Trendz.
On the Leysin campus:
- The International buffet Sitio;
- Le Mont-Blanc Palace;
- The Market Place cafeteria.
Special dietary requirements are taken into account: there are vegetarian and other options.
Subjects, specialties
Activities Swiss Hotel Management School
The cost of each semester at Swiss Hotel Management School includes two excursions blocks: one - with visits to hotels and restaurants for practical study, the other - cognitive, accompanied by a guide. There are also sports competitions, international evenings.
Facilities and equipment at Swiss Hotel Management School
Caux-Palace-Campus offers to students:
- Modern comfortable classrooms with the latest equipment;
- Audiences for listening to lectures;
- Own theater;
- Well-equipped computer classes;
- Modern multimedia center ;
- Comfortable student lounge;
- Internet cafes and Wi-Fi;
- Kitchens and restaurants specially equipped for practical training;
- Gym;
- Tables for ping-pong;
- Bar and disco;
- Rest room with TV, video, vending machines;
- A playground for volleyball.
Leysin-Campus "University Center" provides:
- Classrooms with modern equipment;
- Computer class with access to high-speed Internet;
- An audience for watching videos;
- A high-tech multimedia center;
- Restaurants, cafes, a kitchen for practical classes;
- Room for individual lessons and reading;
- Gym with a variety of simulators;
- A disco and several bars;
- A SPA center equipped with a sauna and a jacuzzi;
- A relaxation room with table tennis;
- Sports grounds for Volleyball, basketball, football and other active sports.
Admission dates and extra charges
The course price includes:
- Studying the selected program;
- Use of studying materials;
- Hotel accommodation in a standard double room;
- Meals: weekdays - full board, weekend - half board;
- Internet and library;
- Classes in the gym;
- 2 excursions per semester;
- Assistance in finding a restaurant or hotel for practice.
Additional costs (required):
- Registration fee at school - 350;
- Compulsory school deposit - 1500. Upon completion of studies, the insurance is deducted from this amount and actually incurred expenses - 125 francs per month;
- Student card;
- Textbooks;
- Travel tickets;
- 2 excursions;
- Internet;
- Insurance;
- Taxes;
- Sports gym.
Additional payments:
- Admission to the program;
- Consular fee at the Embassy;
- Cancellation insurance (optional) - 390 per semester;
- Medical insurance for obtaining a visa - 3,5 euro per day;
- Transfer from the Geneva airport - 225 to one side;
- Express delivery of documents by postal companies - 195;
- Bank charges;
- Air tickets;
- Visa services.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
Program |
Entry Requirements |
Undergraduate |
|
Postgraduate program |
|
Master of International Business (Hotel Management) |
|
Master of International Business (hotel and resort management) |
|
Master of Science in International Hospitality Degree |
Literature and references
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Swiss Hotel Management School
Absolutely all the expectations were confirmed. Swiss Hotel Management School is excellent.
I graduated from high school in the USA. After that, I decided to enter Swiss Hotel Management School.
There are students from all over the world: a lot of Europeans and representatives of Asian countries. It is necessary to memorize and assimilate huge amounts of information: the first internship was especially difficult, since you need to quickly transfer the whole theory into practice and not screw it up. But further it is simpler: you get used to confirm everything perfect as possible, in real-life examples and situations - you learn from your own mistakes.
There are theoretical classrooms and practical zones, all the equipment is modern, high-quality technical programs. Of course, the price is completely inhumane (and the country is expensive in principle, so even souvenirs will not be cheap), but everyone is sure that if you earned a SHMS diploma, then you're a TOP specialist.
Recommendations on when to apply
Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
- we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
Sam is the Regional Director of Student Admissions at INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia). Sam has nearly 20 years' experience in international education. Also, he has experience in student recruitment for institutions in the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and is a qualified EFL teacher with many years of experience teaching abroad. He understands the challenges faced by international students and is aware of all these difficulties and have vast experience in helping foreign students.